A personal homage to Kiu Tai Yu and the Chinese zodiac tradition
Independent Atelier introduces the Year of the Horse, a unique watch created as a deeply personal tribute to the late Kiu Tai Yu, China’s first AHCI watchmaker, and to the enduring cultural significance of the Chinese zodiac. Conceived as an intimate project rather than a commercial exercise, the watch reflects a belief that timepieces can serve as vessels for memory, identity, and family history.
Rather than recreating a specific historical reference, the Year of the Horse draws on the spirit of Kiu Tai Yu’s zodiac watches through intention, symbolism, and restraint. It is a watch shaped by heritage and personal connection, built around the idea that horology can carry meaning far beyond mechanics, and that the most lasting objects are often those created with purpose rather than scale.
A Story That Begins at Home
The Year of the Horse began not as a commercial project, but as a family one. Independent Atelier founder Benjamin Hui has long admired Kiu Tai Yu’s zodiac watches and owns a Year of the Rooster example. Yet without a personal connection to that zodiac sign, it remained something to admire rather than something that felt truly his.
That changed when Hui and his wife began discussing a gift for their daughter’s twelfth birthday. Turning twelve marks the completion of a full zodiac cycle, a significant milestone in Chinese culture. Their daughter was born in 2014, the Year of the Horse, and in 2026 the zodiac cycle returns to the same sign.
“This project didn’t start as a watch for collectors,” says Benjamin Hui, founder of Independent Atelier. “It started as a gift for my daughter. My wife created the artwork, I built the watch around it, and together we made something that connects our family, the zodiac, and the values that drew me to Kiu Tai Yu’s work in the first place.”
Together, they decided to create something lasting and meaningful. Hui’s wife, an artist, designed a Year of the Horse theme inspired by traditional symbolism and personal expression. Hui then built a watch around that artwork, shaping a piece in which both parents played an active role. The result is a watch intended first and foremost as an unforgettable gift, one that carries family history, cultural identity, and craft in equal measure.
Design and Execution
Housed in a 35mm case crafted from 18K yellow gold, the Year of the Horse balances classical proportions with a contemporary sense of refinement. At 10.4mm thick and 46mm lug-to-lug, the case is elegant and compact, with sapphire crystals on both the front and back to preserve visual clarity and durability.
The dial artwork, developed exclusively for this watch, interprets the Year of the Horse with subtlety rather than literalism. “I’ve always believed that the most meaningful watches aren’t defined by how many are made,” Hui says.“They’re defined by why they exist. The Year of the Horse was created with a clear purpose, and that intention guided every decision in its design.” Like Kiu Tai Yu’s own zodiac pieces, the design prioritizes harmony and symbolism over excess, allowing the theme to reveal itself gradually through wear.
Powering the watch is the proven ETA 2892 automatic movement, which operates at 28,800 vph and has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. Chosen for its reliability and slim architecture, the movement supports the watch’s refined case profile while remaining easy to service long term.
The watch is paired with a special JeaYou Year of Horse strap, completing the piece with a cohesive visual and tactile experience.
A Living Tribute
The Year of the Horse is a unique piece, created as a singular expression of family, memory, and respect for one of Chinese independent watchmaking’s most important figures.“Kiu Tai Yu’s zodiac watches were never just about marking a year,” Hui adds.“They carried belief, identity, and intention. With the Year of the Horse, I wanted to honor that philosophy without copying it, by creating something that feels sincere and personal.”
While this first watch will remain unique, Independent Atelier is open to commissions for collectors who feel a personal connection to the zodiac theme and wish to create their own interpretation.
In honoring Kiu Tai Yu, Independent Atelier does not attempt to replicate his work. Instead, the Year of the Horse reflects the same philosophy that defined his watches: sincerity, cultural grounding, and the belief that a watch can be a personal object first, and a luxury item second.
Availability
The Year of the Horse is created as a piece unique, conceived first as a personal commission. While this initial watch will remain singular, Independent Atelier is open to a limited number of bespoke commissions for collectors seeking a deeply personal zodiac interpretation. Ordering details and delivery timelines will be shared directly by Independent Atelier.
Technical Specifications
Brand: Independent Atelier
Model: Year of the Horse
Case: 18K yellow gold
Dimensions: 35mm diameter, 10.4mm thickness, 46mm lug to lug
Water Resistance: 30 meters
Crystal: Sapphire front and back
Movement: ETA 2892 automatic
Jewels: 21
Frequency: 28,800 vph / 4 Hz
Power Reserve: Approximately 42 hours
Strap: JeaYou Year of Horse strap
Edition: Piece unique, commissions available
Price: CHF 15,500
About Independent Atelier
Independent Atelier was founded by Benjamin Hui together with a circle of fellow GPHG Academy members and independent watchmaking peers. Conceived as a collaborative platform, Independent Atelier exists to support and showcase independent watchmakers on an international stage. Through small-scale, research-driven work, Independent Atelier seeks to connect craftsmanship, experimentation, and cultural storytelling under one shared platform.
For established watchmakers, the atelier offers a space to explore ideas that may not comfortably fit within their own brand frameworks. For emerging or smaller-scale makers, it provides an opportunity to develop, experiment, and be incubated without the immediate pressure of launching a standalone brand.
For press inquiries, sales, or further information, please contact:
Benjamin Hui
📧 contact@independentatelier.com
📞 +852 5396 2340